NCC welcomes govt plan to honour private sector for disaster relief efforts
KATHMANDU: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has welcomed the government's plan to honour private sector for its significant contributions during recent natural disasters.
Speaking at the 37th meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) Executive Committee, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, who chaired the session, stated that private enterprises will be officially recognised for their support. NCC noted that this appreciation from the highest levels of the state has encouraged the entire business community.
The NCC responded positively to the recent initiatives led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and the NDRRMA. The business body commended the proactive approach taken by Home Minister Gurung to ensure effective search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations during the Bhotekoshi flood and subsequent monsoon-related emergencies.
During times of crisis, the private sector has spontaneously provided essential resources, including relief materials, health services, and transport. The NCC highlighted that continuous coordination with state agencies remains vital to delivering this assistance alongside government mechanisms to the affected areas. The private sector organisation committed to making its collaboration with state authorities even more systematic.
To improve the country's crisis response, the NCC urged the MoHA to establish a clear mechanism for regular dialogue and coordination with private enterprises. The chamber suggested that such an arrangement would allow authorities to pre-identify available resources and capacities within the business community, enabling immediate mobilisation when a disaster strikes.
Beyond immediate rescue operations, the NCC stressed that priority must also be given to long-term reconstruction. This includes the rehabilitation of affected businesses, the restoration of supply chains, ensuring the smooth delivery of essential goods, and the reactivation of economic activities in the disaster-hit regions. The chamber also welcomed the executive committee's recent decision to advance recovery work whilst concurrently reviewing ongoing search operations in affected areas.
Praising the MoHA's emphasis on multi-sectoral cooperation across federal, provincial, and local levels alongside security agencies, the NCC noted that the current mobilisation of early warning systems and preparedness protocols is a positive development. The business body said that managing such crises is a shared obligation among the government, the private sector, civil society, and local communities, adding that prompt decision-making, preparedness, and effective coordination are crucial to minimising human and economic losses.
